SnapFashun®: Designing the Future of Apparel

by K. Denise Threlfall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational and Technical Studies, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. Published with permission by The Technology Teacher.

Computer-aided design (CAD) has changed the way fashion designers do business. Computer graphics, now more sophisticated than ever, allow for the rapid development and editing of an entire fashion line on a computer screen. Designers have greater flexibility in making changes as well as experimenting with color and motif, and they can easily modify details to explore a variety of options. Although early prototypes of computer-aided design software for fashion required general artistic talent similar to sketching, a more recent innovation makes fashion design a "snap." It's called SnapFashun®, and this software program is providing design students with an opportunity to experience the world of fashion design like never before.

CAD: A Brief Description

Computer-aided design has evolved from its early stages of computer modeling to the more modernized concept of CAD's integration with computer-aided manufacturing, inventory maintenance, and product marketing. In computer modeling, computer software is used to model objects and simulate processes (Grolier, 1996). These simulations let an individual explore changes and design modifications without actually developing the prototype. As changes are made to the object, the overall perspective of the various components in a working combination lends to both the aesthetic and functional information about the design. From the standpoint of product designers, using computer modeling saves both time and money in the developmental and exploratory stages of the design process.

The sophistication of computer models stems form the various mathematical representation of systems and input parameters developed for a particular program (Grolier, 1996). These complex calculations and systems variables must not only be precise when working to scale, but they should be programmed to interact with the various system outputs that occur from previous manipulations of the model. From the design standpoint, realistic images of the product allow for more in-depth modification of the model, and ultimately greater accuracy can be achieved. As computers become more powerful, computer-aided design programs can be more responsive to design details for a greater number of discipline areas.

About SnapFashun

The evolution for SnapFashun stems from "Report West," a fashion information service developed by Bill Glazer in 1980. In his early fashion reports, Glazer provided information on cutting-edge designs that were selling well in trendy California. As the recognition for his expertise grew, Glazer was sought out by designers from foreign countries to source the California retailers and provide samples for their future design inspiration. His forecasting of fashion trends was amazingly on target, and "Report West" became a huge success (Tate & Glazer, 1996).

In the early 1990's, Bill Glazer and Associates (BGA) published a directory of body forms and details presented from the previous decade in Report West. Because of the large number of examples compiled for this directory, Glazer decided to automate the information into a computerized software program. This software, SnapFashun, allows the designer to literally "snap" design details together to form fashion apparel. The new program allows those with limited drawing and sketching ability to utilize design principles and creativity in developing fashion clothing from over 6,000 sketches in the SnapFashun Library. Design combinations from this extensive library are nearly limitless.

SnapFashun is very user-friendly. All sketches in the library are arranged by category (e.g., collars, pants, sleeves) and are named according to apparel-industry standards. This provides a wonderful opportunity for students to learn fashion terminology while designing apparel lines. Once the designs are developed, specification and cost sheets can be prepared that estimate the materials and labor costs for the particular garment. Thus, the program allows an individual to build a particular design from its inspiration to the final production. When integrated with a marketing strategy, the output of this process simulates the same approach taken in the fashion industry in presenting and pricing the garment for retail sale.

How the Fashion Industry Uses SnapFashun

SnapFashun is a useful tool for designers, merchandisers, pattern makers, buyers, sales representatives, and overseas manufacturers. The traditional method of making prototypes or sketches for review within a design line is now done by computer. Designs can be detailed, right down to the last button, to ensure the apparel line is a cohesive and harmonious grouping of style and color.

It is also easier to make prototypes using this latest technology. Not only are SnapFashun sketches easier to convert to pattern making, but also design details are easier to interpret because the computer-generated samples are cleaner and more accurate than designer sketches. Once the designs are approved and become ready for production, SnapFashun designs can be sent to overseas manufacturers via global electronic networks. The actual time from design concept to consumer availability has decreased due to this technological innovation.

SnapFashun uses a drawing program, Micrografx Designer [or Adobe Illustrator], to allow for customizing the model by varying design specifications and making other style modifications. While working in [the drawing program], an individual can view the drawings at different sizes and pivot details from the library to meet the design specifications they desire for a particular outfit. The SnapFashun software program is updated 24 times a year from Bill Glazer and Associates' reports about European and West Coast California fashions. Coupled with the freedom of drafting design details into Micrografx Designer [or Adobe Illustrator], SnapFashun is producing cutting-edge apparel in every aspect of the fashion industry.

Some of the more notable companies that us the SnapFashun philosophy are J.C. Penneys, Planet Hollywood, French Toast, and Mattel Toys (for both Barbie and Ken). With fashion manufacturers and retailer customizing their products, the deign process will be more integrated into consumer demand than ever before. This computer-aided design program is perhaps the future of fashion conception and manufacturing.

Further Investigation

With the onset of the computer information age and the opportunities to communicate online, the field of fashion design and merchandising is becoming a multimedia showroom for those who wish to find out about cutting edge issues. On a recent Internet search, Microsoft presented a "Fashion Design On-line" contest, which asked designers to develop innovative multimedia showroom for retail and distribution strategies. As Microsoft points out, the Internet is making businesses rethink their traditional methods of organization and fashion-forward companies to accept the challenge. Through this challenge they place at the hands of Internet subscribers, Microsoft is taking the futurist designer into the world of tomorrow.

As professionals in the field of design and marketing look forward to the future of designing, manufacturing, distributing, and retailing apparel, those who have access to computer-aided programs will bring into acknowledge the imminent trends, Look at the opportunities the Internet has to offer concerning computer-aided design and futuristic product development. With the advent of computer links and global networks, more designers will have a greater opportunity to access the international field of fashion.

Summary

Computer-aided design and computer modeling allow individuals to see product modifications and design combinations with greater speed and accuracy, while shortening the production time. SnapFashun is the newest innovation that allows designers to work with limited drawing and sketching ability. Combined with Micrografx Designer [or Adobe Illustrator], an individual can "snap" a design together and detail this piece with line, color, and fabric specifications. As the industry adopts this software program, those with design savvy can conceive a variety of style adaptations and modifications for individual interpretation and mass production of apparel. This easy-to-use program will allow designers to combine a variety of styles and details to determine fashion apparel's future. As computers become more sophisticated and allow for more options, the future of computer-aided design seems to reveal more of a trend in fashion, rather than a passing fad.

References

Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing. The 1996 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Grolier Electronic Publishing.

Computer Modeling, The 1996 Groggier Multimedia Encyclopedia, Groggier Electronic Publishing.

Glazer, B. (1990). The Best of Report West: 1980-1990. Los Angeles: Bill Glazer & Associates Inc.

Tate,S. & Glazer, B. (1996). The Snap Fashion Sketchbook: Sketching and Design the Fast Way. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.